Ski season isn’t over yet, but the end is near.

Crystal Mountain and Stevens Pass will shut down for the season April 13. White Pass and Alpental switch to weekends after April 13. White Pass will stay open on weekends for the rest of the month. Alpental plans to continue weekend operations until May 4.

Summit West and Summit East are Closed. Mission Ridge closes Sunday. Mount Baker goes to weekend operations next week.

Snow conditions are still good at Washington’s ski areas, but they say they must close for two reasons.

First, they are

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As expected, the Hoh River and the South Fork Hoh River on the Olympic Peninsula will close to all sport fishing April 3 to protect wild steelhead, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced this afternoon. The runs this year have not been as strong as they typically are.

The closure will take place at 12:01 a.m. on April 3 and the rivers will not re-open through the remainder of the season. The Olympic National Park also will close portions of the two rivers that lie within the park’s boundary.

The closure is needed to meet

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If you want to sign up for the American Lung Association’s Climb for Clean Air, it’s time to do so.

Here’s a note I received today from Paul Payton of the ALA:

There is still time to join this year’s team and secure a spot on a climb up Mount Rainier in July. Here are some activities that are open to the public.

– Tuesday, April 1st @ 6:30 p.m. – come to Seattle REI and get those fabulous fundraising tips, get a review of equipment needs and planned lowland hikes in April, as well as

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Here is a look at how the laws related to carrying firearms read for the National Park Service and the state of Washington.

Supporters of a push to change the park regulations want the rules to be consistent with the state where the park is located.

Click here to read today’s story about the debate on carrying guns at Mount Rainier National Park.

The rules

Code of Federal Regulations

TITLE 36–PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY CHAPTER I–NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Sec. 2.4 Weapons, traps and nets.

(a)(1) Except as otherwise

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The Capitol State Forest campgrounds, trailheads and trails will reopen to the public beginning April 1, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources just announced.

Capitol Forest recreation sites are open April 1 through Oct. 31 annually, providing recreational facilities and trails for many thousands of visitors.

Campsites are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors are welcome to stay within the forest for seven days per year.



There are about 90 campsites and more than 170 miles of trails in the forest. Trails on the northern side of the forest

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Our coverage starts on the front page tomorrow. I take a look at the debate on whether to allow people to carry firearms in national parks and how it relates to Mount Rainier National Park. I talked to local NRA members, park staff and hikers for the story.

In Adventure, Craig Hill has a great package on places you can take your kids to introdce them to the outdoors. Maybe spring break will be a good time to give these a try.

In my column I write about the need for more volunteers as our area’s national parks

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There is now a continuous emission of ash from the new gas vent in Halema`uma`u Crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The top of the ash plume, which is currently being blown to the southwest of the crater, reaches from a half mile to one mile above ground level.

The amount of lava erupted from the vent was small, but it represents the first lava erupted from anywhere in Halema`uma`u since 1982.

Click here for a cool panoramic view of the crater.

Click here for more information on the eruption.

Click here for

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In today’s Soundlife section we caught up with Jordan Hanssen, a UPS grad who is currently pedaling across Australia. This guy – along with his ocean rowing buddies – is truly one of the most impressive gentlemen I’ve met in my four years covering Puget Sound adventure sports.

Hanssen and three friends became the first Americans to row across the North Atlantic in 2006. Next he plans to row from New York to Nome with fellow UPS grad Greg Spooner.

Here are some links for following Hanssen’s adventures.

- Hanssen’s blog is loaded with good stories

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